Origin of 86'ed
June 20th, 2013 at 7:54:34 PM
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Was re-reading the "Ask the Wizard" archive tonight and came across:
"I work in a casino and have actually 86’ed people for various reasons. Where does the term actually come from?"
I always thought this meant "8 miles out and 6 feet under"?
Anyone else heard of this origin?
"I work in a casino and have actually 86’ed people for various reasons. Where does the term actually come from?"
I always thought this meant "8 miles out and 6 feet under"?
Anyone else heard of this origin?
June 20th, 2013 at 7:56:55 PM
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I thought it was because when saloons had intoxicated or rowdy customers, they would break out the 86-proof "women's whiskey" to serve the drunk man, thereby shaming him into leaving.
June 20th, 2013 at 8:29:58 PM
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Quote: mrjack9I always thought this meant "8 miles out and 6 feet under"?
Yup.
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June 21st, 2013 at 5:14:25 AM
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http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=86
To remove, end usage, or take something out or away. Despite ALL other posts suggestion the origion of this phrase there is only one true answer:
Chumley's, a famous and OLD New York speakeasy, is located at 86 Bedford St. During Prohibition, an enterance through an interior adjoing courtyard was used, as it provided privacy and discretion for customers.
As was (and is) a New York tradition, the cops were on the payroll of the bar and would give a ring to the bar that they were coming for a raid. The bartender would then give the command "86 everybody!", which meant that everyone should hightail it out the 86 Bedford enterance because the cops were coming in through the courtyard door.
To remove, end usage, or take something out or away. Despite ALL other posts suggestion the origion of this phrase there is only one true answer:
Chumley's, a famous and OLD New York speakeasy, is located at 86 Bedford St. During Prohibition, an enterance through an interior adjoing courtyard was used, as it provided privacy and discretion for customers.
As was (and is) a New York tradition, the cops were on the payroll of the bar and would give a ring to the bar that they were coming for a raid. The bartender would then give the command "86 everybody!", which meant that everyone should hightail it out the 86 Bedford enterance because the cops were coming in through the courtyard door.
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June 21st, 2013 at 5:27:38 AM
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"eighty-six (v.) Look up eighty-six at Dictionary.com
slang for "eliminate," 1936, originated at lunch counters, a cook's word for "none" when asked for something not available, probably rhyming slang for nix." 'Online Etymology Dictionary
slang for "eliminate," 1936, originated at lunch counters, a cook's word for "none" when asked for something not available, probably rhyming slang for nix." 'Online Etymology Dictionary
June 21st, 2013 at 6:33:46 AM
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Yes, I think rhyming slang, quite possibly for nix (ixnay). The advantage of 86 is that the item could still be on the chalk board but 86 would indicate they were all out of it to all waiters.
Probably not a literary allusion and it predated prohibition I'm sure and is unlikely to have caught on from one address.
Even things like "The Sweney" for the unspoken "Todd" gives the East Enders a way of expressing the term "Flying Squad" which was the quick response unit of the local Metropolitan Police Force. Its a constantly evolving way of having a verbal code whose meaning is known to those in the area. A thief could call out Apples as he was running and his partner would know to take the stairs: Apples and Pears.
Probably not a literary allusion and it predated prohibition I'm sure and is unlikely to have caught on from one address.
Even things like "The Sweney" for the unspoken "Todd" gives the East Enders a way of expressing the term "Flying Squad" which was the quick response unit of the local Metropolitan Police Force. Its a constantly evolving way of having a verbal code whose meaning is known to those in the area. A thief could call out Apples as he was running and his partner would know to take the stairs: Apples and Pears.
